3 ways to defeat workplace stress

Powering through a to-do list might seem like the only way to get things done at work. But it’s not.

Instead, give yourself a break. You deserve it – and it’ll make you more productive. Going full-steam without at least a few minutes to slow down is like running an engine full speed without letting it cool off. Soon enough, it’ll fall apart. So might you – and then you can’t get anything done.

“There isn’t a single system in our body that isn’t affected by stress,” said Mandy Stogner, health and wellbeing consultant at Colonial Life.

A great way to feel your best on the job is to do something every workday that dials down stress and dials up your body’s feel-good hormones. Here are three simple workplace stress relievers:

Leave for lunch: You need to eat, and eating already feels good when you’re hungry. To mentally recharge as well, fuel up in a space where you don’t normally work. Simple as that. Best bet is leaving work altogether. Otherwise, sit in a different room, even at a different desk. If you can be outside in nature, even better.

Laugh: This might mean a phone call as short as five minutes to someone who’s sure to make you smile. If you have a funny video handy, pull it up. Studies show laughter lowers cortisol and releases endorphins. A hearty belly laugh might even increase your tolerance to pain (take that tough work day!). Or check out cute cat videos. Really. Recent studies in Japan and the U.S. show they make you happy and more productive.

Listen to music: Hearing music you love for just 5 to 10 minutes will lift your mood. Tracks that use hemi-sync metamusic, which synchronizes the brain’s two hemispheres, will calm your nerves too. Listen to anything on “Octaves of Light” by Eluv, especially the title track. Other ambient tunes that soothe: “Ripple FX” by Pure Sounds, “Know Some Things” by R.O.U.D.O.S., “Something Stronger” by Saru, “Edge Hill” by Groove Armada, “Le Monde” by Thievery Corporation.

“The most-important thing is finding a work-life balance that works for you,” Stogner said. “Finding balance and a method to manage your stress is critical to ensuring that you remain happy and healthy.

“If you find yourself getting stressed out try taking several deep breaths or go and take a quick lap around your work area.”

Journalist Mitra Malek writes about wellness, fitness and innovation. She has taught yoga regularly since 2006 and was a senior editor for Yoga Journalmagazine. Learn more at mitramalek.com.

Mitra Malek

Freelance Writer

Mitra Malek creates and edits content focused on wellness. She has been a yoga teacher since 2006 and was a senior editor for Yoga Journal magazine. She is also news journalist and was a staff writer at newspapers throughout the country for many years. As a freelance journalist, her reporting and writing have appeared in The Washington Post and USA Today, among others. Learn more at www.mitramalek.com or connect with her on Twitter @mitramalek.